What Blood Type Are You?

Your blood type helps determine which type of donation (whole blood, plasma or platelets) is the best use of your blood. Don’t know yet? Don’t panic we will tell you after you have made your first donation.

As type A blood is common, it is in constant demand and more is always needed

By giving blood regularly you can help other As and also people with AB blood types

10% of Papua New Guinean’s have B blood type

As type B is one of the rarest blood types, B type blood donors are always needed, particularly for plasma donations

By giving plasma regularly, you can help people with B and O blood types

Just 3% of Papua New Guineans have type AB blood

Even though type AB is the rarest blood type, type AB plasma can help people with any blood type. So, more type AB plasma donors are always needed

By giving plasma regularly you can help people with AB, O, B and A blood types

49% of Papua New Guinean’s have type O blood

As type O blood is the most common, it is in constant demand and more is always needed

By giving blood regularly you can help other Os and also people with AB, A and B blood types

What blood types can be given in an operation?

When a transfusion is given, it’s preferable for patients to receive blood of the same ABO and Rh(D) group. However, in an emergency, if the required blood group isn’t available, a patient may be given another group.

Where do we get our blood type from?

Everybody has a particular blood type which is inherited from your parents. A combination of genes from them determine the presence (or absence) of certain substances called antigens on the surface of all your red blood cells.

What are the different blood types?

Everybody has a particular blood type which is jointly inherited from their mother and their father. There are two major blood type systems – the ABO system and the Rhesus system (Rh factor) – the different combinations of which result in eight major blood types. When a transfusion is required, it is preferable that patients receive blood of the same ABO and Rh(D) type. However, in an emergency, if the required blood type is unavailable, a patient may be given blood of a different, but compatible type.

How much blood does an adult body have?

An average size adult has a blood volume of around 4.5 – 5.5 litres.

How much blood do you take?

A single unit of blood taken during a whole blood donation is about 470mL (less than half a litre), which is less than 10% of your total blood volume. Your body keeps on replenishing blood all the time whether you give blood or not, so this amount is quickly replaced.

What happens to the blood once I’ve donated?

Whole blood donations are separated into their components (red cells, platelets and plasma). After processing, red cells are refrigerated and can be stored for up to 42 days. Platelets are stored at room temperature and can be stored for up to 5 days. Plasma is frozen and can be stored for up to 12 months. Whilst a significant proportion of the plasma is used for direct transfusion to patients, the majority of donated plasma is further processed into a number of very important plasma products. These plasma products include immunisations against chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus; clotting factors for the treatment of patients with haemophilia; protein products for the treatment of patients with burns, liver and kidney diseases; and immunoglobulin products for the treatment of patients with antibody deficiencies and other disorders of the immune system.

How long until my blood is used?

All blood donations are tested and processed and available for use between 24 and 48 hours after collection. Whole blood is separated into its components (red cells, platelets, plasma). After processing, red cells can be stored for up to 42 days; plasma is frozen and can be stored for up to 12 months; and platelets have a shelf-life of only five days.

Where is donated blood sent?Your valued blood donations are sent to the Port Moresby General Hospital Blood Bank. Port Moresby General Hospital 3 Mile, Taurama Road Port Moresby National Capital District Papua New Guinea

WOULD YOU LIKE TO REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS/COMPANY INTO THE PMGH CORPORATE BLOOD DRIVE?